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Man Flies His Girlfriend Out To Ireland To See ‘Red Hot Chili Peppers’, Doesn’t Expect ‘Nightmare’ Like This

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What began as a bargain score, with the promise of a romantic weekend away in Belfast and one of the greatest rock bands of all time, turned into a memorably hilarious mix-up that has left the internet in stitches.

Duncan Robb, from Chesterfield, England, was checking out tickets for events in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he was heading for a short visit. To his surprise, what appeared to be Red Hot Chili Peppers tickets popped up, at a bargain price.

Thinking it was an opportunity too good to miss, especially with Valentine’s Day coming, he snapped them up immediately. Little did he know however, he had missed one crucial detail. This detail was missed not by just himself, but his girlfriend and others too. It wasn’t until much later, when checking out who the support band was, that they figured out that actually, Red Hot Chili Peppers were not coming to Belfast after all.

Duncan had instead booked tickets for Red Hot Chili Pipers, ‘the world’s best bagpipe band.’ With not much else to do other than have a good laugh at their mistake, the couple flew off to Belfast anyway and watched the bagpipers strut their stuff. Did they like them? “It was an experience,” he said. “Couldn’t believe the variety of songs they could play!”

The story has since gone viral, with Duncan taking the incident in good humor and people sharing their own stories of ticketing mix-ups. Check out the story for yourself below, and let us know what you think in the comments!

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This is Duncan Robb and his girlfriend. They thought that they were off to see Red Hot Chili Peppers in concert

Man Flies His Girlfriend Out To Ireland To See 'Red Hot Chili Peppers', Doesn't Expect 'Nightmare' Like This

Image credits: Duncan Robb

They couldn’t believe the deal they got, tickets only $4o per piece for one of the world’s all-time greatest rock bands

Man Flies His Girlfriend Out To Ireland To See 'Red Hot Chili Peppers', Doesn't Expect 'Nightmare' Like This

Image credits: Larry Busacca/Getty Images

It almost seemed to be too good to be true…

Man Flies His Girlfriend Out To Ireland To See 'Red Hot Chili Peppers', Doesn't Expect 'Nightmare' Like This

Man Flies His Girlfriend Out To Ireland To See 'Red Hot Chili Peppers', Doesn't Expect 'Nightmare' Like This

…and of course, it was indeed too good to be true

Man Flies His Girlfriend Out To Ireland To See 'Red Hot Chili Peppers', Doesn't Expect 'Nightmare' Like This

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Man Flies His Girlfriend Out To Ireland To See 'Red Hot Chili Peppers', Doesn't Expect 'Nightmare' Like This

For anybody interested in what the Red Hot Chilli Pipers sound like (and for the angry “didnt happen” mob ) here’s a video from our seats x pic.twitter.com/gIoymZ3xGW
— Duncan Robb (@Dunc_Cfc) February 13, 2018

Like Duncan himself, people responded to the mix-up with good humor

Man Flies His Girlfriend Out To Ireland To See 'Red Hot Chili Peppers', Doesn't Expect 'Nightmare' Like This

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Man Flies His Girlfriend Out To Ireland To See 'Red Hot Chili Peppers', Doesn't Expect 'Nightmare' Like This

Man Flies His Girlfriend Out To Ireland To See 'Red Hot Chili Peppers', Doesn't Expect 'Nightmare' Like This

Man Flies His Girlfriend Out To Ireland To See 'Red Hot Chili Peppers', Doesn't Expect 'Nightmare' Like This

Man Flies His Girlfriend Out To Ireland To See 'Red Hot Chili Peppers', Doesn't Expect 'Nightmare' Like This

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Ilona Baliūnaitė

I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

What do you think ?

SanchaTheSeeker 6 years ago

Give the bagpipers a chance

40points

joyameda 6 years ago

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Carmen Elena 6 years ago

I´m just listening to the red hot chilli pipers on spotify.. and let me tell you people they sound great!

21points

HyperBlender 6 years ago

this is actually a good band tho xD

20points

Korrie Broos 6 years ago

A similar incident happened to friends who went to a show to see Dido. They ended up sitting thru Dido the opera, and not Dido the english singer song writer

11points

PeachPossum 6 years ago

Just looked up Dido the song writer. Her real name is quite long, Dido Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O'Malley Armstrong. Charo's is like that too, María del Rosario Mercedes Pilar Martínez Molina Baeza. Makes me think that they take short stage names because they are tired of the long ones.

0points

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John L 6 years ago

And note that there is no mention of the ex-girldfriend's name, eh.

9points

Szama Bensmail 6 years ago

Lame xD

-1point

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Daniel Losinger 6 years ago

It could be worse. I accidentally went to a concert of the Red Hot Chili Poopers.

7points

Starflower 6 years ago

Thanks for withholding the, um, details...

3points

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TommyDAQ 6 years ago

I think it's friggin' awesome!!! What a great act to happen upon!!! You can see the Chili Peppers anytime, but the Chili Pipers!?!? Classic!!!

6points

TommyDAQ 6 years ago

And good for them to be playing in such a huge venue!!!

4points

Load More Replies...

Kenny Kulbiski 6 years ago

Peter piper picked a peck of............sorry.

6points

Jeannine Pope 6 years ago

A big part of life and love is how you handle SNAFU's. On a foggy Valentine's night, my husband and I had planned a romantic encounter at the HIGH museum in ATL. We had a gift membership while I was a student in Seminary. It was free compared to the ridiculous priced PRIX FIX dinners being offered around the city that night. We were going to sip champagne, eat chocolate and look at romantic art. Perfect for us. We get there. Everywhere around us is very quiet. We go up to the door. Exterior door was open, so we were in the vestibule hanging up our coats, clearly in active denial. Security comes out and asks us what we were doing. When we told him that we were waiting to go in for the Valentine's Event, he looked despondent. Shaking his head, he said, "That was last night," "February 13th?" my husband and I said. He nodded. We shuffled off. It was coffee and muffins, instead. Then it was awful. Now it's one of our funniest memories.

5points

C V 6 years ago

I paid $40 to see RHCP......25 years ago!!!! Silverchair opened for them :D

4points

Miztre 6 years ago

Wow, that must have been before Frogstomp, cos didn't that come out in 94/95? Man I loved those boys 😁

0points

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David Daisy May Boldock 6 years ago

How do you know when bagpipes need tuning?

3points

Yugan Talovich 6 years ago

When someone's playing them?

1point

Load More Replies...

Mimis Nachbarin 6 years ago

That's a good show. No nightmare at all.

3points

Bored Fox 6 years ago

I have always liked cover songs that are played with totally different musical instruments than the original song, for example Apocalyptica that plays many rock classics with cellos. So I would have probably liked also this show. :D

3points

MsBungle 6 years ago

It is quite exaggerated to say that RHCP is ''one of the world’s all-time greatest rock bands''

2points

Trisha Dragon 6 years ago

I'm not a huge fan either, but they are indeed considered such.

1point

Load More Replies...

Lord Beerus 6 years ago

Those bagpipers are actually quite amazing

1point

Em B 6 years ago

To Pepper or not to Piper? THAT is the question! :D Your new slogan could be: Give me freedom, or some bagpipes!

1point

Joseph Barnett 6 years ago

Personally, I would have rather gone to see the Red Hot Chilli Pipers! I love bagpipe music!

1point

Brandy Grote 6 years ago

Red Hot Chilli Pipers are BOMB! Plus he got to go to Ireland? Still a great deal! Check out Marine Sandpiper for more rockin' pipin'!

1point

Jef Bateman 6 years ago

If your public library subscribes to Freegal Music you can download their album "Braveheart" for free. It is a live album and am listening to it right now. Really well done. I once saw a band from Australia called "Brother" that had bagpipes and a didgeridoo.

1point

Eric Lenny 6 years ago

Honestly, getting bagpipers doesn't sound any worse than getting the real band here

1point

Kjorn 6 years ago

i love bagpipes! music are great!

1point

Kevin Braid 6 years ago

id rather see the pipers than the peppers tbh, as a Scot i am a tad biased tho lol

0points

Susanna Vesna 6 years ago

They actually sound awesome! Hahha

0points

Clive James 6 years ago

I hate, hate, hate mixups, but this one woulda been fine, cuz I luv me some bagpipes, and when stoned, as I would have been for the peppers, bagpipes would go over well too. Need more dancers, tho' . :)

0points

Beans 6 years ago

Haha, I think this is better than the Chili Peppers. Is it weird I personally really enjoy bagpipes? Especially hearing them live. It's definitely not as good when it's recorded as the sound blends in together more, but in person it is pretty awesome. I am not Scottish or anything, I'm Mediterranean Australian, and I remember as a kid seeing bagpipe marching in parades and stuff, and immediately thinking 'what the heck is that sound,' but really liking it. It's the same with marching bands and stuff, just seeing them and hearing them in person is amazing.

0points

SanchaTheSeeker 6 years ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5DVhoel7AA&list=RDMMt5DVhoel7AA. They're not too bad

0points

Susan Forbes 6 years ago

They got their money's worth and more! A bargain, really

0points

Gerry Higgins 6 years ago

I looked them up on YouTube..... actually a pretty good band. I'd go to the concert and enjoy.

0points

Lilly 6 years ago

at least they sounded pretty good; not a total waste

0points

Anthone Sipin 6 years ago

bagpipes are cool again thanks to you guys.

0points

Jean-Pierre Darrer 6 years ago

At least, it was a newer experience than to listen to something one already knows.

0points

Rhonnda Oliver 6 years ago

Saw the Red Hot Chili Pipers a couple weeks back and they were brilliant. Mind, at least one person was confused about what they were attending but enjoyed the show

0points

Mont 6 years ago

Just freaking read!!!!!!!!!!!

0points

Brian Schott 6 years ago

And I used to think that bagpipes sounded like a wounded animal... I was kinda impressed with the "peppers" pipework in the short video.

0points

Gerry Higgins 6 years ago

I liked'em

0points

Carol Taylor 6 years ago

l had the chance to see them in Edinburgh back in 09..they were bloody awesome..definitely worth seeing..

0points

SweetMamaP 6 years ago

idk. i kinda like the sound from those CH Pipers.

0points

Thomas Es Thomas 6 years ago

Oh that's awesome! I love bagpipes! And to see them live in Belfast for only £20 ($49) was a bargain. Betcha still had fun in Ireland though. Nobody just flies to Ireland for a three hour concert. I would love to explore the Atlantic Side grottos, ride the train up through the Land of the Erie and stay at 1000 year old inns. I'd stay a whole week, or maybe cross to England. Cheers!

0points

Johanna Zamora 6 years ago

I saw them at Lollapalooza in '92, but I went to see Ministry and really didn't see what the big deal is with them. (That was me on the dumpsters head grinding to ministry, btw - with the 14 year olds....sigh.)

0points

Jan Cowan 6 years ago

They are an absolutely brilliant band and I would love to see them again!

0points

Nadine Ducca 6 years ago

I once happened to see a U2 tribute band and it was great! Plus, the people there were going crazy like it was the real U2! :-)

0points

Jonathan Eatsalot 6 years ago

$27.50 to see RHCP? THere's the tip off

0points

Beau Brown 6 years ago

I'd much rather see that show

0points

Kawaii Panda 6 years ago

When you ask for a puppy for Christmas and your parents bring home a Scooby Doo sock puppet

0points

Stille20 6 years ago

That makes a much better story than "I got a great deal on tickets to the Red Hot Chili Peppers"

0points

Pi... 6 years ago

Aw, come AWN!

-1point

Phillip Moderow 6 years ago

If it sounds too good to be true ... IT IS ! Pipers, peppers, you have to be a Philadelphia lawyer nowadays. I once almost bought a Seiko wristwatch, but a closer look showed a camouflaged "t" in place of the "i" making it a "Setko". I was suspicious of the price -- good for me, no sympathy for greedy guy looking to make a score. Get real.

-1point

Jace 6 years ago

I think the click bait title is irritating. That's what I think. They had a good time and had good humor about it. No nightmare. Stop click bait.

-1point

C V 6 years ago

It IS a nightmare. He flew himself and his GF to Ireland. Plus I'm sure he hyped it up to all of his friends, family and GF. Super embarrassing. He could have blown that money on an actual vacation. Or front row/backstage in his own city

3points

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Jef Bateman 6 years ago

I once thought I was going to go to a book signing by Stan Lee, but it turned out it was actually Satan Lee, the Chinese Mephistopheles. I thought it was a complete loss until he burned his symbol into my head with his fiery forefinger. Now I have an icebreaker anywhere I go.

-1point

Starflower 6 years ago

Cool story, bro!

2points

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Leo McKinnon 6 years ago

Whatever. I guess they had fun ???

-2points

fckucarol 6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Hilliary Smith 6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

BlahBlah 6 years ago

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Jenn 6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Captain Planet 6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

DancingToMyself 6 years ago

Who?!

-1point

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Daniel Losinger 6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

SanchaTheSeeker 6 years ago

Give the bagpipers a chance

40points

joyameda 6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Load More Replies...

Carmen Elena 6 years ago

I´m just listening to the red hot chilli pipers on spotify.. and let me tell you people they sound great!

21points

HyperBlender 6 years ago

this is actually a good band tho xD

20points

Korrie Broos 6 years ago

A similar incident happened to friends who went to a show to see Dido. They ended up sitting thru Dido the opera, and not Dido the english singer song writer

11points

PeachPossum 6 years ago

Just looked up Dido the song writer. Her real name is quite long, Dido Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O'Malley Armstrong. Charo's is like that too, María del Rosario Mercedes Pilar Martínez Molina Baeza. Makes me think that they take short stage names because they are tired of the long ones.

0points

Load More Replies...

John L 6 years ago

And note that there is no mention of the ex-girldfriend's name, eh.

9points

Szama Bensmail 6 years ago

Lame xD

-1point

Load More Replies...

Daniel Losinger 6 years ago

It could be worse. I accidentally went to a concert of the Red Hot Chili Poopers.

7points

Starflower 6 years ago

Thanks for withholding the, um, details...

3points

Load More Replies...

TommyDAQ 6 years ago

I think it's friggin' awesome!!! What a great act to happen upon!!! You can see the Chili Peppers anytime, but the Chili Pipers!?!? Classic!!!

6points

TommyDAQ 6 years ago

And good for them to be playing in such a huge venue!!!

4points

Load More Replies...

Kenny Kulbiski 6 years ago

Peter piper picked a peck of............sorry.

6points

Jeannine Pope 6 years ago

A big part of life and love is how you handle SNAFU's. On a foggy Valentine's night, my husband and I had planned a romantic encounter at the HIGH museum in ATL. We had a gift membership while I was a student in Seminary. It was free compared to the ridiculous priced PRIX FIX dinners being offered around the city that night. We were going to sip champagne, eat chocolate and look at romantic art. Perfect for us. We get there. Everywhere around us is very quiet. We go up to the door. Exterior door was open, so we were in the vestibule hanging up our coats, clearly in active denial. Security comes out and asks us what we were doing. When we told him that we were waiting to go in for the Valentine's Event, he looked despondent. Shaking his head, he said, "That was last night," "February 13th?" my husband and I said. He nodded. We shuffled off. It was coffee and muffins, instead. Then it was awful. Now it's one of our funniest memories.

5points

C V 6 years ago

I paid $40 to see RHCP......25 years ago!!!! Silverchair opened for them :D

4points

Miztre 6 years ago

Wow, that must have been before Frogstomp, cos didn't that come out in 94/95? Man I loved those boys 😁

0points

Load More Replies...

David Daisy May Boldock 6 years ago

How do you know when bagpipes need tuning?

3points

Yugan Talovich 6 years ago

When someone's playing them?

1point

Load More Replies...

Mimis Nachbarin 6 years ago

That's a good show. No nightmare at all.

3points

Bored Fox 6 years ago

I have always liked cover songs that are played with totally different musical instruments than the original song, for example Apocalyptica that plays many rock classics with cellos. So I would have probably liked also this show. :D

3points

MsBungle 6 years ago

It is quite exaggerated to say that RHCP is ''one of the world’s all-time greatest rock bands''

2points

Trisha Dragon 6 years ago

I'm not a huge fan either, but they are indeed considered such.

1point

Load More Replies...

Lord Beerus 6 years ago

Those bagpipers are actually quite amazing

1point

Em B 6 years ago

To Pepper or not to Piper? THAT is the question! :D Your new slogan could be: Give me freedom, or some bagpipes!

1point

Joseph Barnett 6 years ago

Personally, I would have rather gone to see the Red Hot Chilli Pipers! I love bagpipe music!

1point

Brandy Grote 6 years ago

Red Hot Chilli Pipers are BOMB! Plus he got to go to Ireland? Still a great deal! Check out Marine Sandpiper for more rockin' pipin'!

1point

Jef Bateman 6 years ago

If your public library subscribes to Freegal Music you can download their album "Braveheart" for free. It is a live album and am listening to it right now. Really well done. I once saw a band from Australia called "Brother" that had bagpipes and a didgeridoo.

1point

Eric Lenny 6 years ago

Honestly, getting bagpipers doesn't sound any worse than getting the real band here

1point

Kjorn 6 years ago

i love bagpipes! music are great!

1point

Kevin Braid 6 years ago

id rather see the pipers than the peppers tbh, as a Scot i am a tad biased tho lol

0points

Susanna Vesna 6 years ago

They actually sound awesome! Hahha

0points

Clive James 6 years ago

I hate, hate, hate mixups, but this one woulda been fine, cuz I luv me some bagpipes, and when stoned, as I would have been for the peppers, bagpipes would go over well too. Need more dancers, tho' . :)

0points

Beans 6 years ago

Haha, I think this is better than the Chili Peppers. Is it weird I personally really enjoy bagpipes? Especially hearing them live. It's definitely not as good when it's recorded as the sound blends in together more, but in person it is pretty awesome. I am not Scottish or anything, I'm Mediterranean Australian, and I remember as a kid seeing bagpipe marching in parades and stuff, and immediately thinking 'what the heck is that sound,' but really liking it. It's the same with marching bands and stuff, just seeing them and hearing them in person is amazing.

0points

SanchaTheSeeker 6 years ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5DVhoel7AA&list=RDMMt5DVhoel7AA. They're not too bad

0points

Susan Forbes 6 years ago

They got their money's worth and more! A bargain, really

0points

Gerry Higgins 6 years ago

I looked them up on YouTube..... actually a pretty good band. I'd go to the concert and enjoy.

0points

Lilly 6 years ago

at least they sounded pretty good; not a total waste

0points

Anthone Sipin 6 years ago

bagpipes are cool again thanks to you guys.

0points

Jean-Pierre Darrer 6 years ago

At least, it was a newer experience than to listen to something one already knows.

0points

Rhonnda Oliver 6 years ago

Saw the Red Hot Chili Pipers a couple weeks back and they were brilliant. Mind, at least one person was confused about what they were attending but enjoyed the show

0points

Mont 6 years ago

Just freaking read!!!!!!!!!!!

0points

Brian Schott 6 years ago

And I used to think that bagpipes sounded like a wounded animal... I was kinda impressed with the "peppers" pipework in the short video.

0points

Gerry Higgins 6 years ago

I liked'em

0points

Carol Taylor 6 years ago

l had the chance to see them in Edinburgh back in 09..they were bloody awesome..definitely worth seeing..

0points

SweetMamaP 6 years ago

idk. i kinda like the sound from those CH Pipers.

0points

Thomas Es Thomas 6 years ago

Oh that's awesome! I love bagpipes! And to see them live in Belfast for only £20 ($49) was a bargain. Betcha still had fun in Ireland though. Nobody just flies to Ireland for a three hour concert. I would love to explore the Atlantic Side grottos, ride the train up through the Land of the Erie and stay at 1000 year old inns. I'd stay a whole week, or maybe cross to England. Cheers!

0points

Johanna Zamora 6 years ago

I saw them at Lollapalooza in '92, but I went to see Ministry and really didn't see what the big deal is with them. (That was me on the dumpsters head grinding to ministry, btw - with the 14 year olds....sigh.)

0points

Jan Cowan 6 years ago

They are an absolutely brilliant band and I would love to see them again!

0points

Nadine Ducca 6 years ago

I once happened to see a U2 tribute band and it was great! Plus, the people there were going crazy like it was the real U2! :-)

0points

Jonathan Eatsalot 6 years ago

$27.50 to see RHCP? THere's the tip off

0points

Beau Brown 6 years ago

I'd much rather see that show

0points

Kawaii Panda 6 years ago

When you ask for a puppy for Christmas and your parents bring home a Scooby Doo sock puppet

0points

Stille20 6 years ago

That makes a much better story than "I got a great deal on tickets to the Red Hot Chili Peppers"

0points

Pi... 6 years ago

Aw, come AWN!

-1point

Phillip Moderow 6 years ago

If it sounds too good to be true ... IT IS ! Pipers, peppers, you have to be a Philadelphia lawyer nowadays. I once almost bought a Seiko wristwatch, but a closer look showed a camouflaged "t" in place of the "i" making it a "Setko". I was suspicious of the price -- good for me, no sympathy for greedy guy looking to make a score. Get real.

-1point

Jace 6 years ago

I think the click bait title is irritating. That's what I think. They had a good time and had good humor about it. No nightmare. Stop click bait.

-1point

C V 6 years ago

It IS a nightmare. He flew himself and his GF to Ireland. Plus I'm sure he hyped it up to all of his friends, family and GF. Super embarrassing. He could have blown that money on an actual vacation. Or front row/backstage in his own city

3points

Load More Replies...

Jef Bateman 6 years ago

I once thought I was going to go to a book signing by Stan Lee, but it turned out it was actually Satan Lee, the Chinese Mephistopheles. I thought it was a complete loss until he burned his symbol into my head with his fiery forefinger. Now I have an icebreaker anywhere I go.

-1point

Starflower 6 years ago

Cool story, bro!

2points

Load More Replies...

Leo McKinnon 6 years ago

Whatever. I guess they had fun ???

-2points

fckucarol 6 years ago

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Hilliary Smith 6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

BlahBlah 6 years ago

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Jenn 6 years ago

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Captain Planet 6 years ago

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DancingToMyself 6 years ago

Who?!

-1point

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Daniel Losinger 6 years ago

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